Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

ALDI SOUTH Group reports Scope 1 (~431,000 tCO2e) and Scope 2 market-based (~8,634 tCO2e) for 2023, calculated per GHG Protocol with operational control approach. The company has achieved a 63% reduction in absolute Scope 1+2 since 2016 and 21% since 2021 base year. Multi-year tracking with granular breakdown by source (refrigeration, heating, transport, electricity) is published in the Climate Action Progress Report 2023. Third-party verification via SBTi alignment.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

ALDI quantifies full Scope 3 emissions at ~95.9 MtCO2e for 2023 across ten GHG Protocol categories. The company reports that 99% of total emissions come from Scope 3, with product-related emissions as the dominant source. Supplier engagement is active: 31% of product-related emissions from suppliers with SBTi targets (up from 26% in 2022). ALDI has joined the Leadership on Climate Transition initiative and hosted dairy supplier roundtables. Full value chain mapped, but deducted from top score be

Emissions Trajectory: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

Scope 1+2 absolute emissions are on a clear downward trajectory: 63% reduction since 2016, 21% reduction since 2021 base year by 2023. However, total Scope 3 emissions rose 18% in 2023 compared to the 2022 baseline, attributed to business growth. Per the scoring rubric, Scope 3 rising while Scope 1+2 improve caps this score at 4. The company acknowledges this challenge as it plans 800+ new US stores by 2028. Absolute total emissions are rising despite operational improvements.

Energy Source: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

More than 99% of electricity used in ALDI SOUTH Group stores, RDCs and offices comes from renewable sources since 2022. In Australia, this is independently verified by the Clean Energy Regulator and backed by Power Purchase Agreements with three wind farms. In the US, 100% renewable electricity is achieved through RECs and on-site generation, with solar panels on stores and warehouses. Over 2,300 stores globally have photovoltaic systems installed. The company is an EPA Green Power Partnership T

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

ALDI has committed to no deforestation across primary deforestation-linked commodities (palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, wood fibre-based products) by end of 2025. All fresh and frozen beef is sourced deforestation-free in the US. ALDI uses RSPO, SFI, PEFC, and FSC certifications. The company is one of the first retailers to set FLAG emissions targets validated by SBTi. Bananas and pineapples in European/US stores are certified by sustainable agriculture standards. However, no formal TNFD disclosu

Resource Use & Waste: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

ALDI has set measurable circular economy targets: 15% reduction of packaging weight vs 2020 by 2025 (achieved 38% by 2024, exceeding the goal). 76% of ALDI-exclusive primary packaging is now recyclable, reusable, or compostable. The company eliminated plastic shopping bags from US stores, preventing ~4,400 tons of plastic annually. Food waste diversion rate reached 75%+ by end of 2023, targeting 90% by 2030. Member of US Plastics Pact and Sustainable Packaging Coalition. In 2024, recycled more t

Water Impact: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

ALDI UK & Ireland launched a Water Strategy in 2022, achieving a 7.4% reduction in water per m2 vs 2020 baseline. All UK distribution centres have Automatic Meter Readers installed, and new RDCs have rainwater harvesting and recycled water for vehicle washes. In the supply chain, ALDI uses the WWF Water Risk Filter to identify water-critical regions for fruit and vegetable sourcing, requiring GLOBALG.A.P SPRING certification for top 15 products. Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd reduced their textile suppl

Targets & Commitments: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

ALDI SOUTH Group has SBTi-validated near-term AND net-zero targets (validated September 2024), one of the first grocery retailers globally. Targets include: reduce absolute Scope 1+2 by 52% by 2030 and 90% by 2035 (2021 base); reduce absolute Scope 3 by 25% by 2030 and 90% by 2050 (2022 base); reduce FLAG emissions 30.3% by 2030 and 72% by 2050. All targets are absolute, not intensity-based. Reduction-first approach is evident, with no mention of heavy offset reliance. The company already exceed

Transparency & Accountability: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

ALDI publishes annual sustainability progress reports for the ALDI SOUTH Group, US, UK, Ireland and Australia. Climate Action Progress Report 2023 provides granular emissions data with GHG Protocol methodology. Company reports to CDP and has had SBTi validation. Multiple market-specific sustainability reports are publicly available. However, ALDI is privately held, so there is no shareholder voting mechanism. No evidence of executive compensation linked to sustainability targets was found. No TC

Controversies & Red Flags: How does ALDI SOUTH Group score?

Starting at 8 and deducting: Two seafood sustainability labeling lawsuits (Rawson v. Aldi, Toxin Free USA v. Aldi) were filed in 2021 alleging misleading 'sustainable' claims on salmon. Both were dismissed after ALDI agreed to change labeling and improve sourcing (-1). The Duisburg Regional Court ruled in 2024 that ALDI Süd's 'First climate-neutral food retailer' claim was unfair (-1). Foodrise reported ALDI UK to ASA over 'Carbon Neutral since 2019' claim that excluded 99% of emissions; ALDI am

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ALDI SOUTH Group Sustainability Score: 48/100

◌ Pending Review

🛒 Retail (non-fashion)DEMaking progress

~170,000 employees~€80B revenue96.4Mt CO₂e totalRanked #102 of 503Website ↗

ALDI SOUTH Group is a retail (non-fashion) company headquartered in DE with total reported emissions of 96.4Mt CO₂e per year. Based on our 10-question rubric, ALDI SOUTH Group scores 48/100 — rated as making progress on sustainability but with room to improve.

SINK Score Breakdown

How we calculated ALDI SOUTH Group's score using our formula: (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale Penalty

Base Impact

Retail (non-fashion) industry ceiling

Performance

63/100

10 questions scored below

Scale Penalty

0.82x

emissions volume multiplier

SINK Score

(0.3 × 48 + 0.7 × 63) × 0.82 = 48

Emissions Breakdown

Scope 1

431Kt

Direct emissions

Scope 2

9Kt

Energy (purchased)

Scope 3

95.9Mt

Value chain

Total

96.4Mt

CO₂e per year

10-Question Rubric Breakdown

Click any question to see the reasoning, sources and community challenges.

8/10

Carbon Footprint — Operations

7/10

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain

4/10

Emissions Trajectory

8/10

Energy Source

5/10

Nature & Biodiversity Impact

6/10

Resource Use & Waste

4/10

Water Impact

9/10

Targets & Commitments

6/10

Transparency & Accountability

Q10

6/10

Controversies & Red Flags

Community Verification

0 verifications · 0 challenges · Scored using SINK editorial review

Last scored: 4 Apr 2026

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